Friday, 30 April 2010

Belgium bans the burkha

I always think the sight of seeing a woman covered head to toe revealing only their eyes is somewhat disturbing.

Why on earth would a woman want to dress like that? Isn't it hot and sweaty under there? Isn't it heavy? It certainly can't be comfortable and it surely doesn't conform to elf and safety regulations. So why?

Well, apparently it is to 'cover their bodies and conceal their form' thus preserving the woman's honour. It is also for the woman's safety. The sight of a woman's body is quite exciting for muslim men who have difficulty in keeping their hands, and other body parts, to themselves. And as if raping a woman isn't bad enough, the woman is to blame unless she can find four, yes FOUR, witnesses to back up her story.

However, there is light at the end of the tunnel; from July, the burkha will be banned from all public places in Belgium.

Anyone covering their face in a public place, including the street, shops, offices, schools and hospitals will be fined £110 for the first offence and if they refuse to pay or are caught a second time, they can be jailed for a week.

From mid-September, France plans on fining women up to £600 for hiding their face and sending their husbands to jail if they have forced them to be worn.